In Memory of Bradyn Bohn: Central Wisconsin Family Takes Action After Tragic Loss to Online Sextortion
Central Wisconsin – The tragic and untimely death of Bradyn Bohn, a 15-year-old from Central Wisconsin, has sent shockwaves through his community and beyond. Just last month, Bradyn took his own life after falling victim to a growing digital threat that has been silently preying on teenagers across the country: online sextortion.
Now, his grieving family is stepping forward — not only to honor Bradyn’s memory but to raise awareness and demand action to prevent this nightmare from happening to others.
Bradyn was a bright, kind-hearted teenager known for his infectious smile, quick wit, and love for the outdoors. He was a son, a brother, a friend — a young person with hopes, passions, and a future ahead of him. But all of that was tragically stolen by an invisible predator lurking behind a screen.
According to his family, Bradyn was targeted in what authorities are identifying as an online sextortion scheme — a form of digital exploitation where criminals pose as peers, manipulate young victims into sharing explicit photos, and then use those images to blackmail them. Victims are often threatened with exposure unless they send more content or pay money. For vulnerable teens like Bradyn, the fear, shame, and psychological pressure can become unbearable.
Shortly after Bradyn’s death, his parents discovered the terrifying extent of what he had been going through — the messages, the manipulation, the fear he must have felt. Like many victims, Bradyn never told anyone what he was enduring. His silence wasn’t weakness — it was the result of a stigma that too often surrounds issues of online exploitation and mental health.
Now, his family is breaking that silence.
“Bradyn was a strong, loving, and thoughtful boy,” said his mother in a recent statement. “He was not someone who gave up. He was targeted, cornered, and made to believe he had no way out. We’re speaking out because no other family should have to face this.”
Since Bradyn’s passing, his story has touched thousands, prompting an outpouring of support from across Wisconsin and beyond. But it has also become a rallying cry for change. In the wake of this tragedy, state lawmakers and advocates are joining forces with Bradyn’s family to take legislative action against sextortion — and to push for better protections, education, and resources for teens and parents alike.
A new proposal currently in development would:
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Mandate education in schools about online safety, sextortion, and digital manipulation.
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Increase penalties for predators who engage in digital sexual exploitation of minors.
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Provide funding for public awareness campaigns and mental health support services.
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Ensure law enforcement receives training and tools to identify and respond to sextortion cases quickly and effectively.
State Senator [Name] has voiced strong support for the initiative. “We can’t afford to let another young person fall through the cracks,” he said. “Bradyn’s story has to be the last of its kind. We owe it to his family, and we owe it to every teen in Wisconsin.”
In the meantime, Bradyn’s parents are urging others to talk to their children — not just about online dangers, but about emotional well-being, safe spaces to open up, and the reality that no mistake or moment of vulnerability should ever cost someone their life.
They’ve also started the Bradyn Bohn Foundation, which will focus on advocacy, education, and direct support for families navigating online abuse. The foundation plans to launch school programs, host community events, and work with tech companies to hold platforms accountable for protecting young users.
Bradyn’s death is a devastating reminder that behind every screen is a human being — often a young one — who may be silently struggling. His family’s courage in the face of heartbreak is a powerful call to action for all of us: to educate, to protect, and to ensure that no more lives are lost to the shadows of digital exploitation.
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